USCRI clients thankful to have arrived in Raleigh before travel ban

Ragheid Alchaar arrived in Raleigh with his wife, mother and four children last week, just before President Trump’s Executive Order paused the resettlement program. Through tears, he spoke to a reporter about his experiences as a Syrian refugee.

“The most important thing is that the people themselves are great. They’re very genuine,” Alchaar said. He is hopeful the situation will change soon.

“From what I have seen so far, the people, they do not agree with all these new laws…We know that the law will always support us and win at last.”

Other refugees were not so lucky. USCRI North Carolina had two Somalian families scheduled to arrive this week who are now unable to depart. After years undergoing intense vetting procedures and hoping for a chance at a new beginning, this news is devastating for refugees cleared to travel.

North Carolina Rep. David Price (D) said it is dangerous territory for the U.S. “This is really new dangerous, frightening territory for our country,” Price said.

Price said he will co-sponsor legislation in Washington to repeal the executive order which impacts people coming to the U.S. from seven predominantly Muslim countries.